Move More, Learn More!
Harnessing the Brain-Body Connection in Early Childhood
Published on 27. February 2026
Book
Hardback
240 pages
978-0-8077-8367-2 (ISBN)
Description
This book shares how movement is deeply connected to early learning, offering 50+
activities that focus on young children's growth and development.
Young children don't just move to develop their bodies-they move to develop their brains. Move More, Learn More! demonstrates the profound connection between physical activity and early childhood development through cutting-edge research from neuroscience, developmental psychology, and exercise science. This groundbreaking book teaches how movement fundamentally shapes brain architecture during the early years, building the neurological foundations essential for cognitive growth, academic success, and social-relational well-being.
Move More, Learn More! bridges the gap between research and practice, offering evidence-based insights in every chapter. By understanding how developmental skills emerge from shared neurological pathways, Pre-K -3rd grade educators can transform their approach to early learning. Educators and clinicians will discover immediately applicable strategies to help children develop healthy brains and bodies during these formative years.
This first-of-its-kind resource will empower readers to harness the transformative power of movement, showing not just what happens when children are physically active, but why it matters so deeply for their development and how to maximize these benefits in educational settings.
Book Features:
Chapters written by international experts in the fields of movement, music, language, and cognition provide activities to strengthen executive function, self-regulation, attention, and sensory-motor development in Pre-K-3rd grade.
Over 50 evidence-based activities that specifically target both learning strengths and differences.
An ideal book for graduate-level courses in education, physical education, and early care, as well as developmental psychology, speech pathology, and occupational therapy.
activities that focus on young children's growth and development.
Young children don't just move to develop their bodies-they move to develop their brains. Move More, Learn More! demonstrates the profound connection between physical activity and early childhood development through cutting-edge research from neuroscience, developmental psychology, and exercise science. This groundbreaking book teaches how movement fundamentally shapes brain architecture during the early years, building the neurological foundations essential for cognitive growth, academic success, and social-relational well-being.
Move More, Learn More! bridges the gap between research and practice, offering evidence-based insights in every chapter. By understanding how developmental skills emerge from shared neurological pathways, Pre-K -3rd grade educators can transform their approach to early learning. Educators and clinicians will discover immediately applicable strategies to help children develop healthy brains and bodies during these formative years.
This first-of-its-kind resource will empower readers to harness the transformative power of movement, showing not just what happens when children are physically active, but why it matters so deeply for their development and how to maximize these benefits in educational settings.
Book Features:
Chapters written by international experts in the fields of movement, music, language, and cognition provide activities to strengthen executive function, self-regulation, attention, and sensory-motor development in Pre-K-3rd grade.
Over 50 evidence-based activities that specifically target both learning strengths and differences.
An ideal book for graduate-level courses in education, physical education, and early care, as well as developmental psychology, speech pathology, and occupational therapy.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 256 mm
Width: 186 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
576 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8077-8367-2 (9780807783672)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Mike Kuczala is a keynote speaker, professional development facilitator, president of Kuczala Consulting, and chief executive officer for Regional Training Center.
Lynne Kenney is an international educator, researcher, and a pediatric psychologist on the language and cognition team at Wellington-Alexander Center for the Treatment of Dyslexia, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Lynne Kenney is an international educator, researcher, and a pediatric psychologist on the language and cognition team at Wellington-Alexander Center for the Treatment of Dyslexia, Scottsdale, Arizona.
Content
Contents
Foreword: Why Movement Matters: What Every Teacher, Clinician, and Parent Should Know About Children's Brains Cindy Hovington ?v
Acknowledgments ?vii
Introduction ?1
Mike Kuczala
Part I: What to Know
1. ?Light a Fire! The Scientific Basis for Integrating Movement Into School and Clinical Settings ?7
Lynne Kenney, United States
2. ?Physical Activity, Neuroplasticity, and Brain Growth: The Key Connections ?20
Ty Melillo, United States
3. ?Enhancing Sensory-Motor, Cognitive, and Social Skills in Young Children Through Physical Activity ?32
Joann McFee, Kelly Barnhart, and Lynne Kenney, United States
4. ?Using Music Interventions to Strengthen Cognition, Co-regulation, and Self-Regulation: The Pre-K SEND Program ?51
Angelo Molino with Lynne Kenney, United States
Part II: What to Do (Academic Development)
5. ?Implementing Cognitive-Physical Activities to Strengthen Executive Function Skills for Better Learning and Behavior ?67
Lynne Kenney with Mike Kuczala, United States
6. ?Using Movement and Music to Enhance Language and Reading Skills in Young Children ?92
Stacy Fretheim, United States
7. ?Handwriting and Movement: Addressing Delays and Difficulties ?109
Mary Mountstephen, UK
8. ?Activity Gym and Cross-Body Activities for Children ?126
Piero Crispiani and Eleonora Palmieri, Italy
9. ?The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning Through Movement ?141
Mike Kuczala, United States
Part III: What to Do (Self-Regulation and Social-Relational Development)
10. ?Rhythm and Movement for Early Childhood Self-Regulation Development ?153
Kate Williams, Australia
11. ?"MovementWorks" for Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Learners ?167
Ali Golding, UK
12. ?Promoting Social Connections Through Group Activities ?186
Andy Milne, United States
13. ?Creating Meaningful Movement Experiences Before, During, and After School ?198
Andy Vasily, Belgium
Conclusion: Putting It All Together So Kids Will Move More to Learn More ?211
Mike Kuczala, United States
Afterword: The Pediatric Perspective of the Family Experience and Why Returning to Our Roots in Pediatrics Matters for Children Ronald S. Fischler ?215
Index ?217
About the Editors and Contributors ?226
Foreword: Why Movement Matters: What Every Teacher, Clinician, and Parent Should Know About Children's Brains Cindy Hovington ?v
Acknowledgments ?vii
Introduction ?1
Mike Kuczala
Part I: What to Know
1. ?Light a Fire! The Scientific Basis for Integrating Movement Into School and Clinical Settings ?7
Lynne Kenney, United States
2. ?Physical Activity, Neuroplasticity, and Brain Growth: The Key Connections ?20
Ty Melillo, United States
3. ?Enhancing Sensory-Motor, Cognitive, and Social Skills in Young Children Through Physical Activity ?32
Joann McFee, Kelly Barnhart, and Lynne Kenney, United States
4. ?Using Music Interventions to Strengthen Cognition, Co-regulation, and Self-Regulation: The Pre-K SEND Program ?51
Angelo Molino with Lynne Kenney, United States
Part II: What to Do (Academic Development)
5. ?Implementing Cognitive-Physical Activities to Strengthen Executive Function Skills for Better Learning and Behavior ?67
Lynne Kenney with Mike Kuczala, United States
6. ?Using Movement and Music to Enhance Language and Reading Skills in Young Children ?92
Stacy Fretheim, United States
7. ?Handwriting and Movement: Addressing Delays and Difficulties ?109
Mary Mountstephen, UK
8. ?Activity Gym and Cross-Body Activities for Children ?126
Piero Crispiani and Eleonora Palmieri, Italy
9. ?The Kinesthetic Classroom: Teaching and Learning Through Movement ?141
Mike Kuczala, United States
Part III: What to Do (Self-Regulation and Social-Relational Development)
10. ?Rhythm and Movement for Early Childhood Self-Regulation Development ?153
Kate Williams, Australia
11. ?"MovementWorks" for Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Learners ?167
Ali Golding, UK
12. ?Promoting Social Connections Through Group Activities ?186
Andy Milne, United States
13. ?Creating Meaningful Movement Experiences Before, During, and After School ?198
Andy Vasily, Belgium
Conclusion: Putting It All Together So Kids Will Move More to Learn More ?211
Mike Kuczala, United States
Afterword: The Pediatric Perspective of the Family Experience and Why Returning to Our Roots in Pediatrics Matters for Children Ronald S. Fischler ?215
Index ?217
About the Editors and Contributors ?226